Iron Man
Fantasy fans owe a huge debt to Marvel Comics founder Stan Lee. By focusing on the person within the costume his fractured heroes have become pop culture icons. His comic’s rich source material has translated into successful cinematic journeys for heroes such as Spider-man and the X-Men. Once the domain of cheap fodder, superhero movies have become huge business with Iron Man the latest of Lee’s creations promising a dose of action filled angst.
Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr) is a rich playboy continuing his father’s international weapons business. Captured during an attack by Afghan terrorists, Stark nears death. Saved by a prisoner who replaces his heart with a life support unit, he becomes a changed man. Creating an iron suit he flees his captors and determines to use his skills towards justice. Angered by Tony’s new lifestyle business partner, Obadiah Stane (Jeff Bridges), plots to destroy him. Helped by his assistant Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow), Stark becomes a man of steel in every sense of the word.
Origin stories can be difficult to pull off. Attempting to explain how a hero is created often has the effect of slowing things down. Director Jon Favreau unfortunately sticks to formula with a flabby mid section stifling much needed rhythm. Placing the hero into a real situation seems to rob some of the fantastical flavour needed which remains uncorrected until the furious finale. Although these aspects are regrettable, everything else is spot on. The business power plays and governmental interference is per the comics to which the special effects bring to colourful life. Commenting on man’s lust for weapons, the script maintains a light edginess preventing the film from falling into pointless heroics.
Whilst pacing and certain story holes are problematic, the casting is terrific. Downey Jr is a perfect Tony Stark with his glib quips and nonchalance masking his iron will. Jeff Bridges obviously enjoys playing a rare bad guy role, diving into his mean character with gusto. Paltrow brings plenty of charm without turning her character into a typical helpless screamer. Iron Man’s CGI renderings are superb with his flight simulations lifting the story from the sometimes mundane level.
A potential franchise’s first entry always seems to be a bit of a slog. Iron Man is no exception with a good screenplay bogged down by ongoing exposition. Even within its standard confines however, Iron Man is a reasonably exciting movie of which its creator can still be proud.
Rating out of 10: 6
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Cactus
Good Australian films effectively use its unique expanses. Mad Max placed the Aussie desert on the world map, with its’ gritty battles amongst the arid plains enthralling audiences. Set in the back of beyond, Cactus wrings plenty of atmosphere from the dusty landscape. The lonely vistas successfully bring an unseen foreboding in an otherwise muddled film by playing with the character’s minds.
Eli Jones (David Lyons) is a professional gambler in serious trouble. Kidnapped by professional bounty-hunter John Kelly (Travis McMahon), Eli has an unwanted date with some heavy customers. Driving through rough terrain, both men begin a game of deadly brinkmanship. The arrival of rugged copper Roscoe (Bryan Brown) and trucker Thommo (Shane Jacobson) into their lives shows who really has the upper hand in the harsh sandy environment.
Director Jasmine Yuen-Carrucan brings a female perspective to male macho posturing. Increasing the film’s intensity, the characters all take a chance with fate with varying results. The line between good and bad is trod very thinly as both abductor and captive could have been easily reversed given different circumstances. Trying to gain each other’s measures and developing grudging respect, John and Eli form a strange double act with money’s addictive allure binding them. Both actors give solid performances despite their underwritten roles with Bryan Brown standing out as a crusty lawman.
Cactus’s main problem is its’ plot inconsistencies. The narrative suffers from an episodic nature leaving too many unanswered questions. Whilst the main story is fascinating, the script seems reluctant to fully connect with its characters. The lack of a good soundtrack and sparse dialogue reveals budgetary restrictions
under-mining the energy of all involved. It’s frustrating that while lesser films obtain financing with ease, others struggle to do justice to its concept. Florian Emmerich’s marvellous cinematography provides much needed power showing that CGI has nothing over a country’s natural settings.
Not quite reaching its potential, Cactus nevertheless maintains interest. More work on the screenplay and a bigger budget could have perhaps made this a better rounded experience. Overall this is a tight little thriller that tries its best to make a lot out of very little.
Rating out of 10: 6